Support for farmers and land managers
Land managers have a key role in maintaining and enriching Scotland’s nature and landscapes.
NatureScot aims to bring environmental concern into daily farming activities. We promote the sharing of knowledge and good practice to help farmers and crofters take care of our land, wildlife and natural resources.
Training and guidance for farmers
Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service
The Farm Advisory Service (FAS) is part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP). It provides a full programme of events, publications and support designed to provide integrated advice for farmers and crofters across Scotland.
Find out more on the Farm Advisory Service website
Monitor Farm Programme
This programme encourages farmers, local people and experts to share knowledge and experience to improve farms’ profitability and productivity. Each monitor farm serves as a hub for its local area, where farming best practice can be discussed and demonstrated.
NatureScot was involved in introducing this New Zealand model to Scotland in 2010–2011 and supports delivery of the programme. Our aim is to promote innovations that contribute to the environmental sustainability of businesses.
Read about the Monitor Farm Programme
Crofters and Smallholders Skills Boost
NatureScot provides a small amount of the overall funding for this programme. We also advised on the environmental content of the Access to Crofting Toolkit Course. This aims to help new crofters and small landholders learn practical techniques and experienced individuals to develop and diversify their skills.
Explore the Crofters and Smallholders Skills Boost 2016–2019 programme on the Scottish Crofting Federation website.
Future Farming Scotland
This programme of free events run by the Soil Association offers practical information on farming that’s good for your business as well as the environment. Its focus is on farmers.
Explore the Future Farming Scotland programme on the Soil Association website.
The Four Point Plan
This four-step plan aims to lessen the environmental impact of livestock farming.
The Four Point Plan covers:
- minimising dirty water
- better nutrient use
- risk assessment for spreading manure and slurry
- better water margin management
Grants and funding
Farmers, crofters and other landowners play a big part in looking after the wider countryside and designated sites such as SSSIs and Natura sites.
The Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) is the main source of funding to help you deliver sustainable land management activities.
We can still offer management agreements for cases requiring specialised management that can’t be supported by SRDP.
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